From being a part of now two Emmy Award winning projects: "When They See Us" and "This Is Us" do you feel any pressure about future success or choosing meaningful work?
1000%. As an actor who has had a pretty big start, which is nothing but a blessing, I now feel a responsibility to tell stories that can make a real change. It’s all about trying to create a world where we celebrate our differences but also realize how much we are all so alike. That’s the only way that we can make the world a better place and I believe that art can truly do that. Art translates beyond race, gender, sexual orientation, class etc. Art gives audiences the ability to see someone going through what they’re going through even if it may be completely different circumstances. I think that that’s beautiful because it shows us how similar we are to each other and how the human experience is much more alike than we may think.
Many would say you've been extremely fortunate to start your career with such esteemed cast mates, production and direction-Oprah, Ava Duvernay, Dan Fogelman, and Sterling Brown to name a few, how has perfecting your craft under this type of leadership affected your work moving forward
Well the fact of the matter is I am extremely fortunate to start my career with whom some would call legends. 99% of the time acting careers don’t happen the way that mine is happening. Not to say I wasn’t putting in work years before any of this happened, but just the dramatic rise in ‘status in the acting industry’ I guess you could say, and how much of a blessing that is, isn’t lost on me at all. The people I’ve been so fortunate to work with so early on have been nothing but kind to me which makes it so much easier to look up to them and think ‘wow I wanna be there one day’. I mean sometimes it just seems so magical the way that they work in their craft and how they make it seem all so seamless and effortless. But I think that that’s a testament to sticking in it for the long run and truly, trying to learn and perfect your craft at all times. These guys have obviously been in this industry for much longer than I have, and it’s so exciting to see where they started and where they are now. It’s a true testimony on never giving up, because what’s for you is for you and what’s not isn't. And as long as you’re consistently working on what you love, people will see. It’s just a matter of when. They’ve inspired me to keep working. Keep working at what I love and every single day just keep trying to get better and better
Besides your own work, what is the best film or show airing on Netflix right now?
Best show airing on Netflix right now is definitely ‘The End Of The F’ing World Season 2’. The format of that show is just so unique and everything about it is absolutely amazing. The performances, cinematography, direction, writing. It’s all beautiful. I’m currently binging it and that show makes me want to fall in love for some reason. It’s weird. If I described to someone what the show was about they’d probably never think ‘aww how cute’. But that’s why I think it’s genius. I think it’s a beautiful love story in absurd circumstances. It’s hard to pull something like that off and for it to be REALLY good so mad props to everyone working on that show.
How would you describe your everyday style?
My everyday style is the first thing that I see in my closet that’s comfortable haha. I’m not big of a style guy contrary to what you may see on my Instagram. That’s all because of my magnificent stylist Zadrian Smith. Outside of big events and things like that though, everyday I literally look like any other random person walking down the street. Don’t get me wrong I love fashion and love looking good but honestly it’s not THAT important to me. It’s the last thing I’m thinking about in the morning when I wake up. I never wonder what I’m going to wear to Chipotle or even a birthday party because literally do not care. Many people say that I’m very mature because of that outlook. I just think I’m lazy.
Do you have any style obsession? i.e. sneakers,hats?
Style obsession is definitely sunglasses. I LOVE sunglasses so much. I want to have like a huge collection on my wall or something but I just think sunglasses are so cool and say a lot about a person. This is the part of style where I do care very much. Especially when they’re vintage sunglasses. Those are so cool. I think that my aunt Samira [Samira Wiley]kind of bred me into becoming a sunglasses maniac because i’d say she’s one too. Not too long ago we went to this vintage sunglasses store by her house and it was like heaven. I can’t get enough of them.
We hear that you dabbled into rap some with Nickelodeon for theme music, do you plan on creating your own music as a solo artist?
You guys definitely did your research haha. Truth is when I was in middle school I had no plans of being an actor. I was convinced I was going to be a huge rapper that went by the name of ‘Lil Sting’. Looking back on it that name is absolutely horrid and I don’t know what I was thinking. I did release a little bit of music back then and actually have one song up on Soundcloud still. It’s not under ‘Lil Sting’ though so you’ll have to do some digging to find that one. The short answer is it’s always a possibility. I’ve loved rapping since I can remember but it’s just not the focus right now. I doubt it will be anytime soon. But you never wanna say never cause then it won’t happen so I’ll just leave that as a maybe.
What would people be surprised to see on your music playlist? Who are your favorite artists?
I have been listening to an unhealthy amount of Drake recently. Not turn up drake either-sadboy Drake. I think it’s the weather. I love Drake regardless though. Favorite rapper ever and the man who I believe is the greatest rapper of all time, is none other than, Kendrick Lamar. He is SO GOOD. I’ve got to see him live soon. Someone that not everyone may have heard of though is an artist named ‘Smino’. It’s so hard to describe his music because it’s so unique. It’s not Rap, not R&B, not Pop. It’s somewhere in between. But still that’s not even a good explanation. You’d just have to listen to his music to understand but it is so good. He’s already starting to blow up which is so exciting to see but he is about to be huge. Don’t be surprised when he takes over the world. Also EarthGang. Many people have compared them to OutKast but to me they’re just EarthGang. Good friends of mine. They’re about to blow up in no time as well. Mark my words.
This Is Us is now airing on NBC. Tell us about any other projects that are in the works your supporters can look forward to?
Definitely some movies in the works, stay tuned for those. Can’t say too much about them but....yeah you’ll see when you see. :)
This Is Us Season 4 Trailer
Follow Asante Blackk: @asanteblackk